Cuff link



1958 FY. BENTON, JR 2,847,744

CUFF LINK Filed June 22. 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. fi-ank 1 8entan, Jr.

Wf/F/MEYS.

F. v. BENTON, JR 2,847,744

Aug. 19, 1958 CUFF LINK Filed Jurie 22. 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR." K Ben zon, Jr.

Ln n d #TramVs/s 1958 F. v. BENTON, JR 2,847,744

CUFF LINK Filed June 22. 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

fi-an/r 1! Ben fan, Jr.

United States Patent Office 2,847,744 Patented Aug. 19, 1958 This invention relates to cuff links and, more particularly, to an improved cuff link that may be used interchangeably on French-type cuffs and button-type cuffs.

distinct types, the French-type and the button-type. When the French-type cuff is worn, the longitudinal edge portions of the cuff are disposed in adjacent, back-topasses through aligned aperportions of the cuff. In the the longitudinal edge portions are disposed and are secured by a button portion of the cuff and which a button-hole in the other edge portion. While many people prefer the cuff link type fastening, since it is decorative and provides a more pleasing appearance than the button-type fastening, such cuff links are subject to the defect that they cannot be worn on button-type cuffs. In an effort toovercome this disadvantage, prior fastening devices of various types have been devised which permit the button-type cuffs to be converted so as to simulate the appearance of French-type cuffs. However, such prior devices are subject to the defect that they cannot be used with satisfactory results on French-type cuffs. In addition, such prior devices are cumbersome and difficult to fasten after which is fixed to one edge is adapted to pass through hand to be pushed vices tend to wrinkle or bunch relatively thin material as for example, are commonly made.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to overcome disadvantages inherent in prior fastening devices of the indicated character and to provide an improved cuff link which may be used interchangeably with French-type such prior fastening decuffs and button-type cuffs without the necessity of altering either type cuff.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cuff link that is pleasing in appearance, economical to manufacture, durable; efficient and which may be assembled with a minimum of labor and expense.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cuff link which may be readily adapted for use With either mens or womens apparel and which may be worn without wrinkling or damaging the material from which the cuff is made.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved cuff link which may be easily and quickly applied to and removed from French-type cuffs and butstructed in accordance with ton-type cuffs with a minimum of effort. on the part of the wearer.

The above as well as other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a surf link constructed in accordance with one form of the invention and showing the same applied to a fragmentarily illustrated button-type cuff;

Fig. 2 is a bottom in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view similar to Fig. l but showing the cuff link of this form of the invention applied to a fragmentarily illustrated French-type cuff;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational invention shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the cuff link shown in Fig. 5 and showing one head in the inserting position;

Fig. Tis a cross sectional view of the cuff link illustrated in Fig. 5, taken on the line 7-7 thereof and showing the same applied to a fragmentarily illustrated button-type cuff;

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of a cuff link constructed in accordance with another form of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of a cuff link constructed in accordance with still another form of the invention and showing the connecting member in the fully open position;

Fig. 10 is a front elevational view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the connecting member in the closed position;

Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of a cuff link conyet another form of the inplan view of the structure illustrated view of the form of the vention;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 11 and showing the same applied to a fragmentarily illustrated button-type cuff; and

Fig. 13 is a bottom plan view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 12.

Referring to the drawings, a cuff of a sleeve is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, generally designated 20, which may be considered to be a buttontype cuff on the sleeve of a mans shirt, although it will be understood that the invention is applicable to other uses. A cuff of the type shown is provided at its outer end portion with a button-hole 22 at a position near, but spaced from the junction of the outer end with one longitudinal edge portion thereof while a button 24 is fixed to the opposite edge portion of the cuff 20, the button 24 being adapted to pass through the button-hole 22 so as to hold the opposite edge portions of the cuff in overlapping relationship.

In Figs. 3 and 4, a French-type cuff, generally designated 26, is shown. Such a cuff is provided with elongated, aligned apertures 28 and 30 in the opposite double edge portions thereof and is conventionally worn with the opposite double edge portions disposed in backto-back relationship, as distinguished from overlapping relationship.

The present invention provides a cuff link which may be used interchangeably on a button-type cuff and a French-type cuff without requiring any alterations to In the preferred form illustrated, the head pieces 32 and 34 are of the cross sectional contour illustrated in Fig. 7 and each of the head pieces 32 and 34 is '40 and 42 in the head pieces 32 and 34, respectively.

The flanges 44 and 46 of a generally U-shaped con- "necting member 48 project into the recess 40 of the head .32 intermediate the edges thereof and the end portions of the flanges 44 and 46 are pivotally connected to a bearing member 50 by a headed pivot pin 52, the bearing member 50 in turn being fixed to the inner surface of .the central portion 36 of the head 32 by any suitable means, such as by brazing or welding.

A generally U-shaped spring clip 54, having a pair of spaced, substantially parallel legs 56 and 58 joined at one end by an integral bight portion 57, is provided for the purpose of releasably securing the head 34 to one edge portion of a cuff. The clip 54 may, of course, be made of any suitable resilient material and, in the preferred form illustrated, is relatively thin and narrow so as to be unobtrusive when it is applied to a cuff. The clip 54 extends traversely of the head 34, as viewed in Fig. 5, and the leg 56 is fixed to opposite edges of the skirt portion thereof at a position spaced from the transverse axis of the head 34 in order to facilitate positioning the button 24 in the recess 42 when the cuff link is applied to a button-type cuff. The free end portion of the leg 58 is return bent and shaped in the form of a flat V so as to provide a projection 60 adapted to resiliently bear against the inner surface 62 of the leg 56, as brought out in Fig. 5.

The web portion 64 of the connecting member 48 is fixed to the leg 58 of the clip 54 at a position intermediate the edges of the head 34, so as to form a unitary structure.

When the cufi link of this embodiment of the invention is applied to a button-type cuff, such as 20, the spring clip 54 is slidably fitted over the edge portion of the cuff adjacent the button 24 and the button 24 is inserted in the recess 42 in the head 34. In order to facilitate the insertion of the head 32 through the buttonhole 22 in the opposite edge portion of the cuff, the head 32 is pivoted about the axis of the pin 52, as shown in Fig. 6, so that the head 32 extends generally in the direction of the flanges 44 and 46 of the connecting member 48. The head 32 is then inserted through the buttonhole 22 after which it is pivoted to a position substantially normal to the flanges 44 and 46 so that the edge of the skirt portion 38 abuts the outer surface of the cuff. Thus, the opposite edge portions of the button-type cuff are linked in back-to-back relationship in the manner of a French-type cufi.

When it is desired to apply the cuff" link to a Frenchtype cuff, the spring clip 54 is slidably fitted over one double edge portion thereof so that the projection 60 passes through the apertures 28 and 30 therein to hold the head 34 over such apertures, as brought out in Fig. 4. The head 32 is then pivoted about the axis of the pin 52 in the manner previously described and projected through the apertures 28 in the opposite double edge portion of the cuff, after which it is pivoted to a position substantially perpendicular to the flanges 44 and 46 of the connecting member 48. Thus, the opposite edge portions of the cuff are secured in back-to-back relationship by the cuff link.

From the above description it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a cuff link which may be used interchangeably with button-type cuffs or Frenchtype cuffs without the necessity of altering or otherwise changing either type cuff and that the cuff link may be applied to either type cuff without wrinkling, bunching or damaging the material forming the cuff so as to cause an unsightly appearance.

Another form of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 8 and includes the head pieces 32 and 34 and the spring clip 54. In this form of the invention, however, a flexible chain-type connecting member 66 is provided. The end link 68 of the connecting member 66 projects into the recess 40 of the head piece 32 intermediate the edges thereof and is fixed to the inner surface of the central portion 36 in any desired manner. The other end link 70 of the connecting member 66 terminates in outwardly spaced relationship with respect to the edge of the skirt 38 of the head 32 and is fixed to the leg 58 of the spring clip 54 at a position intermediate the edges of the head piece 34. The cuff link of this embodiment of the invention may be positioned on a button-type cuff and a w ench-type cuff in the manner previously described so that the edges of the skirt portions of the head pieces 32 and 34 abut the outer surfaces of opposite edge portions of the cuff while the inner surfaces of the opposite edge portions are disposed in substantially back-to-back relationship, as hereinbefore set forth.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 and includes the head pieces 32 and 34. In this form of the invention, a generally U-shaped connecting member 72 is provided having substantially parallel flanges 74 and 76 joined at one end by a thickened web portion '78. The flanges 74 and 76 project into the recess 40 of the head 32 and are pivotally connected to the bearing member 50 by the pivot pin 52, as previously described. A screw 80 projects outwardly from the web portion 78 of the connecting member 72 and is adapted to be received in an internally threaded portion 82 provided on the free end portion of the leg 84 of a generally U-shaped clip 86 at a position intermediate the edges of the head piece 34. The clip 86 extends transversely of the head piece 34, as viewed in Figs. 9 and 10, and the leg 88 of the clip is fixed to the edges of the skirt portion of such head at a position spaced from the transverse axis thereof so as to faciltate positioning the button in the recess 42. The end of the screw 80 is upset or otherwise enlarged, as at 90, and serves as a bearing surface for the screw as well as to retain the screw in the internally threaded portion 82 so that the screw will not become separated from the clip 86.

When the cuff link of this embodiment of the invention is applied to a button-type cutf, the head 32 is rotated about the axis of the connecting member 72 so that the screw 80 is moved to the open position, as shown in Fig. 9. The clip 86 is then slidably fitted over the edge of the cuff adjacent the button and the button is inserted in the recess 42 of the head piece 34. The head piece 32 is then rotated so that the screw 80 rotates into the internally threaded portion 82 provided on the leg 84 of the clip and clamps the cult between the enlarged portion 90 of the screw and the leg 88 of the clip. The head 32 is then pivoted about the axis of the pin 52 and inserted through the button-hole in the opposite edge POI-- tion of the cuff, after which the head is pivoted back to a position substantially perpendicular to the flanges 74 and 76 of the connecting member 72. Thus, the opposite edge portions of the button-type cufit are secured in backto-back relationship.

When it is desired to apply the link of this embodiment of the invention to a French-type cuff, the screw 80 is rotated to the open position and the clip 86 is slidably fitted over one double edge portion of the cuff so that the screw is aligned with the apertures therein. The head 32 is then rotated to close the screw 80 so that the enlarged portion 90 thereof bears against the leg 88 of the clip to hold the head 34 securely in place over the apertures in the cuff. The head 32 is then inserted through the apertures in the opposite double edge portion of the French-type cuff in the manner previously described so that the opposite edge portions of the French-type cufi are secured in back-to-back relationship by the cuff link.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 11 through 13 and includes a pair of head pieces 92 and 94 which define recesses 96 and 98, respectively, adapted to receive the button of a button-type cuff. In this embodiment of the invention the heads 92 and 94 are shaped differently than the heads 32 and 34 in the embodiments of the invention previously described merely in order to show the applicability of the invention to variously shaped heads. In this embodiment of the invention, a pair of the clips 54 are provided, the clips extending transversely of the heads 92 and '94, as viewed in Fig. 11. The leg 56 of one of the clips 54 is fixed to opposite edges of the head 92 by any suitable means and the leg 56 of the other clip 54 is fixed to opposite edges of the head 94 in a similar manner. A chain-like connecting member 100 is provided for the purpose of connecting the clips 54, one end of the connecting member 100 being fixed to the leg 58 of the clip secured to the head 92 at a position intermediate the edges of such head while the other end of the connecting member 100 is fixed to the leg 58 of the clip secured to the head 94 at a position intermediate the edges of the head 94.

When the cuff link of this embodiment of the invention is applied to a button-type cuff, the spring clip 54 secured to the head piece 94 is fitted over the edge portion of the cuff adjacent the button and the button is inserted in the recess 98 in such head piece. The spring clip 54 secured to the head piece 92 is then slidably fitted over the opposite edge portion of the cuff so that the projecting portion of the clip passes through the button-hole to hold the head piece 92 in place, as shown in Fig. 12.

When the link of this embodiment of the invention is applied to a French type cuff, the spring clip 54 secured to the head piece 94 is slidably fitted over one double edge portion of the cuff so that the projection 60 of the clip passes through the/apertures in such double edge portion of the cuff and holds the head piece 94 in the proper position. The spring clip 54 secured to the head piece 92 is then slidably fitted in a similar manner over the other double edge portion of the cuff so as to hold the head piece 92 securely in place. It will be noted that in this embodiment of the invention, the head pieces 92 and 94 project outwardly over the bight portions 57 of the spring clips so that the clips will be substantially concealed when the cuff link is in place.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A unitary cuff link comprising a pair of head pieces disposed in spaced back-to-back relationship, one of said head pieces defining a recess adapted to receive a button, a generally U-shaped clip having a pair of substantially parallel legs, one of said legs being fixed to the back of said one head piece at a position spaced from a plane which extends transversely through said one head piece intermediate the back and front thereof and overlying said recess, and an elongated connecting member, one end of said connecting member being secured to the other leg of said clip at a position intermediate the edges of said one head, the other end of said connecting member being connected to the other head piece intermediate the edges thereof.

2. A unitary cuif link comprising a pair of spaced head pieces disposed in back-to-back relationship, one of said head pieces defining an open-back recess, a generally U-shaped clip having a pair of substantially parallel legs integrally joined at one end, one of said legs being fixed to the back of said one head piece at a position spaced from a plane which extends transversely through said one head piece intermediate the back and front thereof and extending transversely of said one headpiece, and an elongated connecting member, one end of said connecting member being fixed to the other leg of said clip at a position intermediate the edges of said one head, the other end of said connecting member being pivotally connected to the other head piece at a position intermediate the edges thereof.

3. In a unitary cuff link construction, the combination comprising a pair of spaced head pieces each defining an open-back recess, a generally U-shaped clip having spaced substantially parallel leg portions joined at one end by an integral bight portion, one of said legs being fixed to one of said head pieces and overlying the recess therein at a position spaced from a plane which extends transversely through said one head piece intermediate the back and front thereof, and a connecting member, said connecting member extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said one head, one end of said connecting member being fixed to the other leg of said clip at a position intermediate the edges of said one head, the other end of said connecting member being pivotally connected to the other head at a position intermediate the edges thereof.

4. in a unitary cuff link construction, the combination comprising a pair of head pieces each defining an openback recess, said recesses being disposed in spaced confronting relationship, a spring clip having a pair of elongated substantially parallel legs integrally joined at one end, the transverse dimension of said legs being substantially constant throughout the entire length thereof, one of said legs being fixed to one of said head pieces and extending across the recess therein in spaced substantially parallel relationship to a plane which extends transversely through said one head piece intermediate the back and front thereof, the free end portion of the other of said legs being return bent and defining a projection adapted to bear against said one leg, and. an elongated connecting member extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said one head piece, one end of said connecting member being fixed to said other leg of said clip at a position intermediate the edges of said one head piece, the other end of said connecting member being pivotally connected to the other head piece at a position intermediate the edges thereof. 7

5. A unitary cuff link construction including, in combination, a pair of spaced head pieces each defining an open-back recess, said recesses being disposed in confronting relationship, a spring clip having a pair of elongated, spaced, substantially parallel legs joined at one end by an integral bight portion, one of said legs fixed to one of said head pieces and overlying the recess therein, the free end portion of the other of said legs defining a projection adapted to resiliently bear against said one leg, and a generally U-shaped connecting member having a pair of spaced flange portions integrally joined at one end by a web portion, said web portion being fixed to said other leg of said clip at a position intermediate the edges of said one head piece, the flange portions of said connecting member projecting into the recess of the other head piece and being pivotally connected to said other head piece at a position intermediate the edges thereof.

6. A unitary cuff link including, in combination, a pair of head pieces each defining an open-back recess, a generally U-shaped spring clip having substantially parallel leg portions integrally joined at one end, one of said leg portions being fixed to one of said head pieces and overlying the recess therein at a position spaced from a plane which extends transversely through said one head piece intermediate the back' and'front thereof, and a flexible connecting member, one end of said connecting member being fixed to the other leg of said clip at a position intermediate the edges of said one head piece, the other end of said connecting member being fixed to the other head piece at a position intermediate the edges thereof.

7. A unitary cuff link including, in combination, a pair of head pieces each defining an open-back recess, said recesses being dispose din spaced confronting relationship, a spring clip having a pair of elongated substantially parallel legs integrally joined at one end, one of said legs being fixed to one of said head pieces and extending across the recess therein in spaced substantially parallel relationship to a plane which extends transversely through said one head piece intermediate the back and front thereof, the free end portion of the other of said legs being return bent and defining a projection adapted to pass through an aperture in a cuff and resiliently bear against said one leg, and a flexible connecting member, one end of said connecting member being fixed to said other leg of said clip at a position intermediate the edges of said one head piece, the other end of said connecting member being fixed to the other head piece at a position intermediate the edges thereof.

8. A unitary cuff link including, in combination, a pair of head pieces disposed in spaced back-to-back relationship, one of said head pieces defining a recess adapted to receive a button, a generally U-shaped connecting member having a pair of spaced flange portions integrally joined by a web portion, said flange portions being connected to the other of said head pieces at a position intermediate the edges thereof, a screw projecting outwardly from the web portion of said connecting member, a clip having a pair of spaced substantially parallel legs integrally joined at one end, one of said legs being fixed to said one head piece and extending transversely of the recess therein in spaced substantially parallel relation ship to a plane which extends transversely through said head piece intermediate the back and front thereof, the free end portion of the other of said legs having an internally threaded portion adapted to receive said screw.

9. A unitary cuff link construction comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced head pieces each defining an open-back recess, said recesses being disposed in confronting relationship, a generally U-shaped connecting member having a pair of spaced flange portions integrally joined by a Web portion, said flange portions being pivotally connected to one of said head pieces at a position intermediate the edges thereof, a screw projecting outwardly from the web portion of said connecting member, a clip having a pair of spaced substantially parallel legs joined at one end by an integral bight portion, one of said legs being fixed to the other of said head pieces 8 and extending transversely of the recess therein in spaced substantially parallel relationship to a plane which extends transversely through said other head piece intermediate the back and front thereof, the free end portion of the other of said legs having an internally threaded portion adapted to receive said screw, said screw being adapted to pass through an aperture in a cuff and ,engage said one leg.

10. A unitary cuff link construction comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced head pieces each defining an open-back recess, said recesses being disposed in confronting relationship, a generally U-shaped connecting member having a pair of spaced flange portions integrally joined by a web portion, said flange portions being pivotally connected to one of said head pieces at a position intermediate the edges thereof, a screw projecting outwardly from the web portion of said connecting member, a clip having a pair of spaced substantially parallel legs joined at one end by an integral bight portion, one of said legs being fixed to the other of said head pieces and extending transversely of the recess therein, the free end portion of the other of said legs having an internally threaded portion adapted to receive said screw at a position intermediate the edges of said other head piece, said screw being adapted to pass through an aperture in a cuff and engage said one leg.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 332,620 Nock Dec. 15, 1885 2,535,139 Kanarek Dec. 26, 1950 2,586,434 Marien Feb. 19, 1952. 2,658,249 Wilson Nov. 10, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,734 Great Britain 1886 38,666 Austria Sept. 10, 1909 379,352 Germany Aug. 21, 1923 

